Out of Context

Eight Guidelines for reading scripture to get out of it what God intends us to.

Definition

Usage

Context

Historical Background

Revelation 19:7 NASB95

7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

Logic

Precedent

Unity

Inference

If A is true and B is equal to A, then B is also true.

Philippians 4:13 NASB95

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

One of the most popular verses in all the Bible.

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The perceived meaning. The modern mis application of this verse is this.

“I can accomplish all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Jesus is my co-pilot”’

The danger

Jesus, instead of being Lord of ones life becomes a “good luck charm”

James 4:15 NASB95

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

Worse interpretation:

Imagine someone hungover from a night of partying and having to get up and go to work; and their motivation is Phillipians 4:13.

This verse is perverted into meaning a license to sin.

When reality strikes

I can accomplish all things….…

When they fail miserably, what does that mean?

The Bible is unreliable. I’m on my own. God doesn’t care about me…God isn’t real…

If you build your worldview around a lie, when the threads start getting pulled, the whole thing falls apart.

Definition: nothing remarkable

Usage.

Context.

Philippians 4:10–13 NASB95

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

I can accomplish…………I can endure.

Logic

In Acts 7 Stephen is preaching the Gospel and is stoned to death.

Acts 7:60 NASB95

60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.

Logically if this verse mean to accomplish all things, Stephen would not have died.

But he didn and because he was able to utter this verse, shows that he was able to endure even being stoned to death, with grace.

Precedent

Unity

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NASB95

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Don’t fall into another trap:

Contentment.

I’m not going to go to work, clean my house, have any aspirations.

It is not a license for laziness.

Knowing is half the battle

Don’t become little bunny foo foo

Ephesians 4:1–3 NASB95

1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

being right isn’t a license to be cruel.

The Prodigal son’s older brother was right until he wasn’t.

Your testimony.